Sports Reporter

Sam Carter leaps to take the ball in a lineout during the first Bledisloe test in Sydney. Photo: Getty Images

Buoyed by the confidence gained from his short but impressive rise to Test rugby, Wallabies lock Sam Carter is keen to take on a greater ball running role if required in the second Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

Carter earned plaudits for his Wallabies debut in the first Test against France in Brisbane in June. He played for 70 minutes with an ankle injury, which sidelined him for five weeks.

In the 50-23 win over France, on top of his strong set-piece work, Carter, 24, accrued 10 ball runs for 15 metres and 17 tackles. In last week's 12-12 draw under rain with the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium, his match statistics showed nine runs for 15 metres and five tackles.

Carter said he hoped to “get as busy as possible when I’m on field. If it’s carrying, cleaning out … if it’s defending, if it’s in the set-piece. I try to make myself as much of a presence as possible, but obviously, yeah … We have got players on the team to ball run.

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"We have got players to clean out and defend well; but it’s everyone’s job really to get up there … take the carry when they need.”

It is a role he recognises has become part of his game at the Brumbies with some nice inside passes from halfback Nic White. “It is and sometimes I get pretty lucky in space. I’m just in the right spot at the right time sometimes [to score a try]. If I can add that at Test level, that’s a plus for me really.

“There might be a bit of pick and go” from the Wallabies this weekend, he said. “I am sure the All Blacks will prepare for that as well."

With two Tests behind him, Carter says he is more confident about what to expect. “Obviously, I have twice as much Test experience as I did this time last week," he said.

“I’m looking at getting out there and playing more minutes. The more minutes you play, the better you cope with that level. Hopefully, I can develop my game.”

He laughed when told he would at least be heading to Auckland with an undefeated Test record. “Not many people get the opportunity to go undefeated against the All Blacks.

“I know I have only had a draw, but I’m just looking forward to the opportunity of playing them in New Zealand which is a massive task – especially at Eden Park.”

Carter conceded that the intensity was a lot more when playing against the New Zealanders at Test level compared with Super Rugby games.

“All Kiwi teams are pretty tough. They are physical around the breakdown,” he said. “They get up and work really well together. You see that with the Crusaders, the Chiefs, the Highlanders … all their teams do it.

“Then you put them in one team like the All Blacks and it’s just amplified. They are a lot tougher.”

1 comment so far

When you run with the ball Sam, just explode, and keep going like you're aiming to score every time. Sooner or later, you will.